2007 Conference Sessions
Why Hereford?
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| Presentation Slides | |||
| Dave Daley | 1.45 MB | Download | |
| Mark Akin | 467 KB | Download | |
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Synopsis
Kicking off the “Why Hereford?” panel was Dave Daley, California State University, Chico. Daly’s presentation focused on the value of heterosis.
“Heterosis is the superiority of the crossbred progeny compared to the average of the parent breeds,” Daly said. “Maternal heterosis is the increase in calf performance due to the maternal effect of the crossbred cow.”
Daly announced the first-year results of a heterosis study being conducted in cooperation with the American Hereford Association (AHA), Lacey Livestock, Harris Feeding Co., and Harris Ranch Beef Co. The objective of the study was to conduct a controlled crossbreeding system, comparing Hereford and Angus bulls, under commercial conditions, emphasizing economic differences at the ranch, feedlot and packing plant.
Differences in weaning performance, feedlot performance, carcass value and overall profitability were measured. “Commercial cattlemen are most concerned with dollars,” Daly said.
Daly said the preliminary economic data suggests crossbreeding has the potential to significantly boost return in a vertically coordinated marketing system. To have more numbers for the project in year two and three, Lacey Livestock increased the number of cows to 600 for the remainder of the study. The feedlot study will be repeated in 2008 and 2009 and the effect of maternal heterosis will be determined by tracking productivity of the replacement heifers that were retained and identified to a specific sire.
A full, first-year report will be posted online Oct. 1.
Mark Akin, Circle A Angus Ranch, shared with Young Guns participants why and how Circle A chose to utilize Hereford bulls.
Circle A has a commercial and seedstock division with several locations in the northern Midwestern U.S The commercial focus is the development of genetics throughout the herd, along with research and development for the seedstock herd.
Akin explained the Angus Sire Alliance that the ranch initiated in 1995. Through this study, sires were tested based on their offspring, for all the traits effecting ranch profitability and results were utilized for genetic improvement.
He said Circle A utilizes its commercial herd in real-world management conditions and that management remains consistent at all locations to keep track of studies and results. “Quality beef is our business,” Akin said. “We are consistently trying to improve what we are doing.”
The relationship between the American Hereford Association and Circle A was developed in 2006, Akin said. Last fall Circle A tested 10 Hereford sires through artificial insemination (AI). Commercial Angus cows at each Circle A ranch were AI-bred to Hereford bulls.
“We want to compare the best of the Angus herd to the best of the Angus-Hereford F1 cross,” Akin said.
Both terminal and maternal performance will be measured. Steer progeny will go through a feed efficiency test and carcass evaluation. The females will be retained to measure conception rates, stayability and maternal effect on birth and weaning weights.
One of the Midwest’s largest farming and ranching operations, Amana Farms located in Amana, Iowa is testing young Hereford sires on its 2,500 head commercial cow herd.
John McGrath, farm manager for Amana Farms, said one of the reasons they decided to test Hereford bulls was because of the breed’s ability to adapt to the range.
They wanted also to test the economic effect of using Hereford bulls in their commercial operation.
The AHA’s National Sire Reference Program (NRSP) tests young Hereford bulls at cooperator cattle herds across the U.S. and the progressive Amana Farms operation is an ideal Midwest test for Hereford genetics.
“Fleshing ability and disposition were two key selling points in our decision to try Hereford bulls with our herd,” McGrath said. “We used 11 Hereford young sires and two proven AI sires for comparison to breed our heifers. Birth weight and calving ease scores have been collected and we will be tracking weaning weight scores in a month.” McGrath added that yearling and carcass data will also be collected in the future.
The Amana test steers will be fed at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where researchers will collect feed efficiency data and the females will be retained at Amana Farms to improve the herd’s disposition, longevity and efficiency.
For questions or more information, contact Amy Cowan at (816) 842-3757 or